72 
THE MEADOW LARK. 
it. Both birds then rejoin the flock, and the party continue their journey in 
amity. When flocks thus travelling spy a favourable feeding place, they 
gradually descend and alight on some detached tree, when, as if by one 
accord, each individual jerks out its tail, springs on its legs, and utters a loud 
soft call-note. They then fly successively to the ground, and immediately pro- 
ceed in search of food. An old male now and then erects itself, glances its 
eye around with anxious scrutiny, and should danger be perceived, does not 
fail to inform his party by emitting a loud rolling note, on hearing which 
the rest of the flock become alert, and hold themselves in readiness to depart. 
In this manner the Meadow Larks proceed in autumn from the northern 
parts of Maine to the State of Louisiana, the Floridas, or Carolinas, where 
they abound during the winter. At this season the pine barrens of the 
Floridas are filled with them, and after the land has been fired by the native 
herdsmen, these birds become as sooty as the Sparrows residing in London. 
Some were so infested with ticks as to have lost almost all the feathers off 
their body, and in general they appeared much smaller than those of the 
Atlantic States, probably on account of the deficiency of their plumage. In 
the prairies of the Opellousas and those bordering on the Arkansas river, 
they are still more abundant. Many of these, however, retire into Texas 
and Mexico at the approach of very severe weather. They now sleep on 
the ground among the tall grass, but at a distance of many yards from each 
other, in the manner of the Carolina Dove. 
At the approach of spring, the flocks break up, the females first separating. 
The males then commence their migrations, flying in small flocks, or even 
sometimes singly. At this season the beauty of their plumage is much 
improved, their movements have acquired more grace, their manner of 
flight and all their motions when on the ground evidently shewing how 
strongly they feel the passion that glows in their bosom. The male is seen 
to walk with stately measured steps, jerking out his tail, or spreading it to 
its full extent, and then closing it, like a fan in the hands of some fair 
damsel. Its loud notes are more melodious than ever, and are now fre- 
quently heard; the bird sitting the while on the branch of a tree, or the 
top of some tall weed of the meadows. 
Woe to the rival who dares to make his appearance ! Nay, should any 
male come in sight, he is at once attacked, and, if conquered, chased beyond 
the limits of the ten’itory claimed by the first possessor. Several males may 
sometimes be seen engaged in fierce conflict, although these frays seldom last 
more than a few moments. The sight of a single female at once changes 
their occupation, and after her they all fly off as if mad. The female exhibits 
the usual timidity of her sex, that timidity without which, even in Meadow 
Larks, she would probably fail in finding a mate. As he flies towards her, 
